WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

. ' — ~ TUESDAY, JAN. 17th. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present; Messrs B. Ward (County Chairman), L. Morel, J. Ritchie, W. Jeffries, T. W. Duff, T. -H. Chesterman, W. H. Chinn, E. A. Wells. The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued. —lleceiv ed. From Minister of Public Works, noting representations recently made for tiie completion of the MarlboroughWest Coast road through the Wairau valley.—Received. From Mines Department, declining to supply funds to assist in repairs to Adair’s road as the Government had no money available for the work.—Received.

From Resident Engineer, Public Works, advising the construction of.approaches to Little Waitaha bridge' would be put in hand at once. It was necessary to have the bridge decked before starting the approaches as material from the north side would be used for such embankment.—Received. It was stated! that three men went down last week to commence the work. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating the recommendation to vest the Okarito cemetery in the Council had been approved and action is being taken to give effect to same.—Received. From Department of Labour, directing attention to question of selecting Statutory linlf—liolidny in Westland and to be notified of the day decided on.— Received; to bo dealt with on order paper.

.From South Island Motor Union, Christchurch, appealing to local bodies in the interest of the public to clear grass plots at the junctions and intersections of roads t© avoid accidents.— Received.

From T. E. Y. Seddon, ALP., enclosing letter from Minister of Customs dealing with the remission of duty on cement for local bodies requirements. —Received.

From Kanieri Sawmill Company, iu explanation of their motor lorry driver crossing the Kanieri river bridge contrary to instructions from the firm.— Received; a letter from the Resident Engineer stated that any future transgression would be dealt with in the Magistrate’s Court. From W. Thomson Totarn, furnishing monthly report on stock found at large on County roads.—Received. From Tynpson and MoQuilkih, supplying information of the state of Browning Pass track and work done to enable pack horses to get through.— Received; the Overseer to report on the condition of the t,raok, with a view to obtaining a Mines Vote. From W. (1. McGowan, tendering resignation of position of roadman in •the Totnra district as from the end of January.—Received; resignation accepted. Mr Chinn moved that application.l be invited. Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried.

From Kenneth Ross, Jacksons, on behalf of Canterbury Prospecting Syndicate, asking that the track along the Taipo river he put in repair to allow operations to he started in the Gold creek dstrict.—Received. From Same, thanking the Council for promptness in authorising clearing tracks up the Taipo river.—Received.

From Same, reporting work clone in clearing tracks and stating a good route was now open for packing etc. —Rooeived.’

From Jeremiah Alinehan, Ross, applying for approval of the Council to transfer interest in Ferry reserve, Little AVnnganui, to James Alinehan of Hari Hari.—Received and approved. From Orr Brothers, Hokitika, requesting permission to cross the Kokatahi bridge with their lorry empty as several picnic parties wished to visit the Hokitika. Gorge.—Received; request granted, on the motion of ATr ATorel. Front Heathcote County Council, Christ chinch, copy of resolution urging legislation be introduced amending Counties Act, 1920, ro as to include

Section 335 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, dealing with subdivision of land.—Received; to be supported. From Minister of Health, indicating necessity for prosecuting a vigorous anti-rat campaign and outlining measures to be taken for destruction of rats.—Received. The clerk reported only five applications for poison had been made since last meeting. From C. J. J*. Sellers, for Knight and Webster, Rimu, enclosing copy of application for prospecting license and asking consent to area being granted. —Received; request granted. From Overseer Afillner, reporting a washout of the filling in large gully on Kanieri tram road; recommending the lloor of the motor lorry be lined with plate iron; reporting excellent work was being performed by the lorry in conveying grac’d along the Kokatahi road.—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, general report for past month; reporting river encroachment near AA 7 clls Bros and Brown’s sawmill at AVntaron ; work attended to Sam son’s Creek.—Received. From Inspector Varney, calling aft tention to rubbish deposited on the foreshore in the County beyond Hokitika Borough boundary, and recommending action in the matter.—Received; referred to Overseer to attend to. It was also resolved to draw the attention of the Borough Council to unsatisfactory conditions in the locality, and to protest at the deposit of rubbish from the abattoirs on tHfe foreshode, which was stated by Mr Ritchie to be an absolute disgrace. From Selwyn and Ashley County Councils, urging that hsopital levies he apportioned over the local bodies, one third to population and two thirds to capital rateable value.—Received. From Minister of Internal Affairs, notifying a shilling subscription list of the Princess Mary wedding gift was now opened.—Received; a list to be opened at the County Office. From T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., forwarding letters from Minister of Pnblic Works, (1) notifying grant of £SOO (£ for £) for Kokatahi bridge repairs; (2) stating owing to proximity of Rimn telephone office, Woodstock office would be closed ; (3) replying grant for Petersen road would not be available till the road iino was effectively drained; (4) declining to entertain application for Mcßride Creek bridge; (5) stating front information furnished by the

Resident Engineer the Waitangi crossing did not frequently interfere with traffic, and the erection of the bridge was not of first importance. —Received. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Jeffries and Chinn to ask Government to supply a copy of Mr ; Strawbridge’s report on swamp lands in La Fontaine .district. In connection .with the Waitangi crossing, it was resolved to make a further representation of protest to the Minister asi to the correctness of his statement that the crossing did not frequently hold up traffic.

From Alines Department, agreeing to treat as not recoverable mining rent due by Cooper and others.—Received.

From Chamber of Commerce, inviting members to local bodies conference at Town Hall on the 25th inst., to consider joint action in regal’d fo matters affecting the welfare of this Received; the Chairman moved that the Council accede to the request and that the Council in a Body attend. Seconded bv Mr Morel and carried. From Kanieri Sawmill Company, asking leave to cross Kanieri and Kokaathi roads with tramways.—Received. Mr Morel protested that the tramway had already been placed over the road. He protested at such a course being follbwed, without the Council having any say in the matter. The Chairman said he entirely agreed with the attiture. It was an entirely wrong course and the firm should be notified’ that such a course must he followed in the future.

From A. Jamieson, Koiterangi, asking Pigeon Creek lie bridged to open the road to Hokitika Gorge for settlement and tourist traffic. —Received: Air Morel moved that the Overseer report as to the cost of tile suggested work. Seconded by the Chairman and carried. From R. J. Pedder, Hokitika, applying for horse an dray hire.—Received. From AV. A. Fleming, on behalf of H. Karnbaoh, applying .for £l4 os for clearing blackberries.—Received; held ove for report by Overseer Millner-

From AV. Robinson, reporting on running of motor lorry; during eight days on Lake road 267-’ yards of gravel were delivered, the work involving 292 mileage, and £ll 12s for bonzrine and oil.—Received. From Overseer Millner, stating pile driving at Kakapoftthi bridge would begin to-day; £SO were required for protec tion at AAfoiitnngi; a sheep bridge at McBride’s creek would cost £18; the lowering of the stream £B, but ATr ATeBrido objected to the probable scour.— Received; consideration of protection at Waitangi was deferred till next meeting, Mr Jeffries to inspect meantime. It was resolved to advise Mr ATcßride that the Ccfuncl would put the work of reducing the stream as recommended by the Overseer if it met with his approval: if not then that no action bq aken. The Chairman referring to the satisfactory report’ of the working of the motor lorry expressing his pleasure at the, manner in which the lorry was carrying on. He was very glad that the lorry had made a good start. From T. Brown and Party, Hokitika, asking for assiStemco to prospect between Rimu and RoSs.—Received; to be recommended.

From T. and J. Scott, asking for prospecting assistance in Gallery river disrict.—Received; to lie recommended, From F. A- Wells, Woodstock,, asking for assistance in having the telephone office at Woodstock reopened.— Received.

From N.Z. Counties Association forwarding printed report of meeting.— Received.

From Wm, Jeffries giving notice of intention to apply for an auctioneer’s lcense. —Received and granted. FINANCE COATATITTEE’S REPORT A T our Committee have the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of December, 1921, have been carefully examined, ifnd beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1312 10s 7d be passed for payment. Attention is drawn to the large expendiure to keep up the Lake Kanieri road for heavy traffic. During the past sir months there has been spent in government grants, £384. 14s 8d from the County fund, £5Ol 7s 2d, a total of £BB6 Is lOd for the period. Your Committee begs to point out that the funds will not permit thiß rate of expenditure to be continued, and the matter have serious attention. The wandering stock nuisance is not being abated to any reasonable extent. It is a matter for the Council to consider whether the present expenditure of £175 for a ranger should be continued. A suggestion has been made that the Overseer or Roadman should report any flagrant offenders for legal action.—Received.

ATr Chesterman in moving the adoption of the reportl drew attention to the heavy cost of repairs to Lake Kanieri road, £BB6 in last six months, which was fa! rbeyond the power of the Council to continue. Tim question of the advisability of continung the services of the Inspector of stock should be consdered by the Council. Mr Jeffries said the overdraft at the bank was £3993 and accounts passed that day £1312, making a total of £5305 while the hank limit was £4,500. 1 He thought they should take heed of the report and take a pull. The financial stringency applied to everybody and they should take upon themselves the cutting down of their expenditure as far as possibly could be done. Mr Ritchie supported l the necessity for care in .expenditure as did Mr Wells j who also thought that it would he advisable to discontinue the services of * the ranger, and allow the Roadmen to report as to the wandering cattle nuisance and take action accordingly in their reports.

Mr Duff said they were up against a period of stringency and l they should cut down their expendiure ns far as possible. He suggested that the Finance Committee report at next meeting on the best means of cutting down expenditure wherever possible. He moved that the Finance Committee with the Treasurer report at next meeting on the best means of rorenchment. The Chairman seconded the motion. He said he recognised the necessity for care in their finance, though he felt the finanoal position that day was creditable to the Council when! all the circumstances involved were considered. The cost of the upkeep of Kanieri Lake road was involved through stress of circumstances, but they could not continue spending at that rate. He invited suggestions as to the best Means

i c f combatting the high cost involved ! by the heavy motor lorry traffio or. i their roads, which was the cause of the j high expenditure in the past few , months.

The motion for the report to be adopted was agreed to and Mr Duff’s • motin was also carried!. It was resolved) Vb terminate the engagement of thei Stock Ranger as from Ist March. In connection with the refusal of the Department to make .a grant for repairs to Evans Road, it was resolved to make further application for a grant ■for Hie work. „ It was resolved that Overseer Millner report on the present! position of the Donnelly’s Creek ford, now reported as needing attention. j It was resolved that four days work he authorised ho make BladieFs Road! I suitable for foot traffic, i ORDER PARER.

The Chairman moved:— “That the accounts for the month of December, 1921, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1312 10s 7d, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved.— “That Wednesday afternoon of each week, bo fixed fixed as tiie weekly half-holiday for the County of Westland.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved:— “That A. Clifton, Esq., be reappointed to represent the Council on the Hokitika High School Board of Governors for the ensuing term.”—Seconded by Air Duff and carried. The Chairman moved:— “That representations be made to the Government to secure to the Council such portion of revenues accruing from the State Forests as will recompense the Council for loss occasioned by the discontinuance of present sources of rcve.nuo through the operation of the State Forestry Act.”—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved; ‘ That the State Forests Department he urged to commence a comprehensive scheme of reafforestation on areas considered suitable in AVestland and already set ‘apart for that purpose.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved:— ‘That representations be made to the Government and members of Parliament seeking the adoption in the Hospital Bill of a sliding scale for Government subsidy on local body contributions, as the most •equitable adjustment to meet the case of the poorer districts which will be seriously affected by the retention of the proposed flat rate of subsidy.”— Seconded by ATr Chinn and carried.

Councillor Ritchie moved;—“That urgent representations he made to the Marine Department to undertake the erection of the boat landing at Bruce 'Bay already authorised by Parliament.” —Seconded by ATr Chinn and carried. Cr. AA r ells moved:—“That in view of the expansion of industry and increase of population in the locality, the Postmaster-General be urged to retain the telephone office at AVoodstock.”— Seceded by Air Duff and carried.

Or Afurdooh’a motion: “That application he made to' the Afines Department for a grant of £IOO to open a prospecting track to the Gold Creek regiotn, Taipo reef district” wavs deferred till next meeting. SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved:— “That in conformity witli the resolution of the Council adopted at special meeting convened for that purpose on the 13th day of December, 1921, the Council now in pursuance of the provisions of Section 131 (c) of the Counties Act, 1920, confirms the special order made by resolution as aforesaid, and declares the following list of roads within the County of AVestland, to be main roads, namely:— (a) Teremakau bridge road to Ivumara beach road, (b) Awa.tuna road, (c) Ai'aliura Valley road, (d) Kanieri Lake road, (e) Kokatahi road to Graham’s corner, thence across Kokatahi river bridge to Cropp’s road. (f) Arthurstown road, (g) Ruatnpu road. (h) Totara road, i) Waitaha Settlement .road, (,j) Wanganui Flat road, (k) Wataroa Flat road, (l) Okarito road, (m) Turnbull road.” Seconded by ATr Duff and carried. The Council rose ajt 5.10 p.m.